Would you vote for a hip presidential candidate?

The question is awkward - rather, would you be more likely to vote for a candidate considered to be a cool cat if his/her politics were very similar to those of a totally-not-cool opposition candidate?

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Going back to Nixon/Kennedy- Kennedy had a better visual appeal and that grabbed a fair number of voters.

In 1984, Walter Mondale most likely lost to George H.W. Bush due to his (Mondale's) looking tired and haggard.

In 1992, it was easy for Bill Clinton to win on fresh energetic looks alone- and he had some nifty ideas as well- when he was placed next to the aging George H.W. Bush.

In 2004 part of what helped George W. Bush to attain a victory was the stiff angry look which his opponent John Kerry had.

Hillary Clinton has one big obstacle- she cannot maintain her smile on a regular basis and often looks angry and mean. This will work against her. Barrack Obama maintains a smile and conveys warmth and energy, this can only benefit him.

When it comes to my actual vote, I go according to what the candidate has to offer and whenever possible, with their proven track record- what have they done in the past. What did they have an opportunity to do which they did not follow through on? All issues which have been presented to us, the voters, will be factored into my final decision come February. If I find that Clinton and Obama are equally matched in my desires of a candidate, I will lean towards the friendlier one. (I am still working on my summary charts and they are currently running neck and neck.)

Gold Member

The question is awkward - rather, would you be more likely to vote for a candidate considered to be a cool cat if his/her politics were very similar to those of a totally-not-cool opposition candidate?

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I wouldn't. William Shakespeare put it best...

Doth a rose by any other name not smell just as sweet?

Wrapper is not as important to me as the ethics and politics of the person being elected.

Right. I think it a shame anybody would consider voting for somebody for elected office based on their "coolness". There are enough real differences in beliefs and behaviors among candidates to give us plenty of choice. Overall, I would guess the "coolest" candidate is probably the worst for a position of serious responsibility.

I think "dweebs" like Kucinich and Paul have more to offer than plastic packaged jobs like Romney and Clinton.

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Except Mondale ran against Reagan, who definitely looked old and worn out compared to the fiftyish Mondale.

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Good point. Not to mention that Reagan having been a Hollywood Insider, had a much better grasp on how to spin the media and issues and Mondale really didn't have the PR machine or knowledge of to defeat a Ronald Reagan.

I am however glad he won. Reagan did more for us on the world stage than any other president has since him.

Except Mondale ran against Reagan, who definitely looked old and worn out compared to the fiftyish Mondale.

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Well if you're going to get picky about it. (Now let me see how well I do at extricating myself from this blunder:Thinkingof_

Yes- now I recall it all. During the Reagan years, George was supposedly V.P. and to most this seemed to be the case. In reality; however, he was running everything with the able bodied assistance of William French Smith (who was conveniently posing as the Attorney General-subsequently replaced by Ed Meese in '85). What few people realized was that in 1980 when George H.W. Bush was campaigning in the primaries, he actually had been winning against Ronnie Reagan as well as John Anderson and Phillip Crane. In a strange turn of events reflecting the then changing...

You know something? I can't come up with a good reason as to how I goofed on that one. Oops! I'll just get in my car now...:drive: and exceed the speed limit to escape from this error.

Gold Member

The question is awkward - rather, would you be more likely to vote for a candidate considered to be a cool cat if his/her politics were very similar to those of a totally-not-cool opposition candidate?

Click to expand...

I'd like to say no, I choose candidates on their experience and policies but in actuality no one is immune to charisma and charm.